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YORKTOWN, N.Y. -- Yorktown High School graduate Christopher Sarro has had a successful career as a lawyer and public speaker and said he owes much of that success to his teachers and coaches.
"My father told me no matter how much success you have in life, you don't forget where you came from," Sarro said.
The 55-year-old class of 1975 graduate was a quarterback at Yorktown before attending Harvard University and has remained in the area with his wife Mary-Jo and their three children.
However it wasn't until his 23-year-old daughter Michelle was diagnosed with leukemia last summer that he returned to the school.
Sarro came to the school Friday to raise funds for the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Centers pediatrics department and his "12 For 12" fundraising effort. On Saturday Sarro will take part in the annual Cycle for Survival event where he will ride a stationary bike with three other team members in a competition. The event has raised more than $9 million for research on rare cancers at the hospital.
"My number at Yorktown was number 12 as quarterback, so we're just asking for $12 or talk to 12 people to get the word out to raise money for Sloan-Kettering," Sarro said. "Everybody knows it's one of the most important places in New York and it's one of the most important resources for everybody. Yes, I'm doing this because I was inspired by my daughter, but I'm able to do this on behalf of all the daughters and all the children."
Sarro was met at the school by Principal Joseph Degennaro, Athletic Director Fio Nardone, football coach Mike Rescigno and Yorktown varsity quarterback junior Nicholas Mariano, who presented Sarro with a number 12 jersey to wear in Saturday's event.
Degennaro said he and the high school staff were happy to welcome Sarro back to the school and help him in his fundraising efforts.
"He wanted to make the connection since this was his alma mater and we jumped on board. It's a great cause that affects everyone, so we thought it was a great idea for him to meet one of our current players who's also a quarterback like he was," Degennaro said. "It's important to connect the kids of the present to know what the past was like and why the school is the way it is today."
To make a donation to Memorial Sloan-Kettering on behalf of Sarro, click here.
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